Our View on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage

Seierskirken's view on marriage, divorce, and remarriage is based on the Bible.

We are assisted by T.B.Barratt, the founder of the Norwegian Pentecostal Movement, who wrote the book «Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage» (written in 1938, published by the Norwegian Pentecostal Movement's Publishing House 1991).

1) Marriage is ordained by God, and is between one man and one woman (Gen 2:18-25. Mark 10:7-9). It is a lifelong covenant before God (Malachi 2:14). Marriage ends when one party dies.

2) God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). But God permits divorce because of the hard hearts of humans (Mark 10:4-6)..

When divorce happens because of adultery (Matthew 19:9) or imposed divorce (1Cor 7:15), then the previous marriage is regarded as ended, as in death, even though the divorcee still has responsibility for children and values connected to the previous marriage.

3) God's Word gives the right to divorce, but not automatically to remarry (Matthew 5:32. 1Cor 7:12-16).

It is not sinful to remarry. Marriage ends when one party dies. Then the survivor is free to remarry (Rom 7:3). Scripture encourages remarriage (1Tim 5:14. 1Cor 7:8-9. 1Cor 7:39. Book of Ruth).

Even when adultery and imposed divorce take place, then «the innocent party» (cfr Barratt) is free to remarry. «A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases» (1Cor 7:15), i.e. is freed from the marriage vow (Rom 7:3). By using the phrase «the innocent party», we are not saying that one party is without responsibility, but this party has not taken active steps to end the marriage or to commit adultery. 

4) Can a remarried person be an overseer in the church? The answer is yes, but the same strict criteria are applicable here as for anyone else who qualifies for an overseer ministry. 1Tim 3:2 says that the overseer must be the husband of one wife», which is related to polygami which was widespread in New Testament times. In the New Testament, a newly converted polygamist was allowed to enter the church without divorcing his wives (1Cor 7:17-24). But he could not be an overseer or deacon.

5) Seierskirken performs weddings between one man and one woman, but always after personal counseling and discussions, whether it is a first-time marriage, or remarriage.